Chapter 947: Killing and Condemning the Heart

Lister calmed down and thought for a moment. He quickly realized that he was indeed the sole "deadweight" of the team, just as the Fifth Member of the Red Dragon Squad had described.

Consider the Francis couple: not only are they individually powerful, but they also hold the title of Lord of Sal City. They personally arranged the team's developmental resources and external protective forces.

Although Guglas appeared foolish, he was shrewd and commanded the most powerful intelligence team. Therefore, Guglas's role in the team was very clear; there were simply things that couldn't be accomplished without him.

As for the Clown, he was fully responsible for operating the circus-related tasks assigned by Xu Yang, which was currently the Glory Team's primary project.

In the future, the Glory Team's renown throughout the Western Regions would be sustained by the circus's project system.

And Xu Yang and Ling Yao were, of course, the team's two strongest combatants and absolute mainstays.

Counting it all up, it seemed Lister was the only expendable member of the team.

Anything he could do, others could also do, and things he couldn't do, others might still be able to accomplish.

This instinctively made Lister protect his self-esteem, which also became his greatest vulnerability. The Fifth Member of the Red Dragon Squad's words shattered the most sensitive part of his heart.

"You don't need to be so pessimistic. I was just talking. Given the powerful strength of your captain, Xu Yang, it's perfectly acceptable for the team to have a deadweight like you. The same goes for others; even if you can't contribute anything, they can still carry you forward.

There's no need to compete with others for status. And even if you tried, you couldn't win. You don't even need to compare yourself to the powerful members of your Glory Team; even this little ape watching from the side could beat you ten times over."

"Enough!" Lister roared. "If you keep jabbering like that, I won't hesitate to cut out your tongue and soak it in wine." The Fifth Member of the Red Dragon Squad burst into laughter. "Do you think you still have the ability or the right? Of course, if you call for backup now, I'll be powerless and die immediately before you.

But if you truly do that, I'll despise you from the bottom of my heart, because you'll have lost your qualification to be a member of the Glory Team."

It must be said that the Fifth Member of the Red Dragon Squad perfectly embodied the phrase "killing with words."

He could clearly sense the changes in Lister's inner emotions and his increasing agitation.

This was also his best and only chance to deliver a decisive blow to Lister.

The Fifth Member of the Red Dragon Squad's plan was now crystal clear: even if he had to die here today, he would take a member of the Glory Team with him before he fell.

The little ape watched the entire scene unfold. He didn't intervene immediately to disrupt the battle.

He didn't want this battle to completely break Lister's spirit.

Once a cultivator completely loses self-confidence, it means they will make no further progress or achievements in the future.

As members of the Glory Team, Xu Yang and the others would never easily abandon Lister. Even if he truly lost his will, they would undoubtedly help him progress together.

However, in that scenario, the psychological pressure Lister would bear would be far greater than now.

The only one who could help Lister was himself. Only by becoming strong and resolute deep within his heart could he fully overcome the opponent's mental suppression tactics.

Sure enough, in the very next instant, the Fifth Member of the Red Dragon Squad seized this rare opportunity and began to concentrate his most powerful killing blow.

At that moment, the azure light emanating from the Azure Bird around his body expanded to its limit.

"Let me show you my ultimate spirit art — Azure Bird's Rebirth!"

In the next moment, the Fifth Member of the Red Dragon Squad soared into the air, the Azure Bird totem granting him temporary flight.

Simultaneously, he perfectly merged with his Azure Bird totem, becoming completely enveloped in azure flames. Even his original silhouette became indistinguishable.

Even the little ape had never witnessed such a combat technique.

Yet, it was clear that after unleashing this spiritual energy, the Fifth Member of the Red Dragon Squad's strength had significantly increased, approaching the peak of the Azure tier.

This was definitely not good news for Lister.

Even more terrifying, the azure flames he unleashed at that moment could almost instantly refine Lister into nothingness.

"Listen, kid, pay attention," the little ape transmitted telepathically, "This guy's power has expanded to its limit, and you've fallen into the trap he wove for you! If you can't conquer your inner demons, then he won't be the only one to fall in this battle."

The little ape quickly sent a soul transmission, waking Lister from his daze.

Finally, Lister temporarily recovered from his bewildered state and became alert.

"Heh heh," Lister scoffed, "Do you really think a few blunt words can make my spiritual heart falter? You're thinking too much!" In the next moment, Lister fully unleashed his strongest reserve power, releasing his own ultimate spirit art.

At that instant, an intensely vibrant violet flame ignited around Lister.

While the intensity of these flames couldn't compare to the azure flames in the void, Lister's ultimate spirit art was clearly far from simple.

He was completely enveloped by a peculiar light, making his form appear both real and illusory, difficult to grasp.

This transformation, however, didn't seem to attract excessive attention from the Fifth Member of the Red Dragon Squad in the void.

This was because the Fifth Member had now fully integrated the Azure Bird's most potent power, giving him a complete opportunity to instantly annihilate Lister with a single blow.

It was this thought that drove the Fifth Member of the Red Dragon Squad to strike decisively without hesitation.

Finally, a deafening hum from the Azure Bird erupted in the air. Then, the Fifth Member transformed into a streak of azure light, charging directly towards Lister's position below.

In just an instant, everything in that battlefield area was utterly annihilated by the crushing force of the azure light.

Even the little ape, who was merely observing, was impacted by this power.